Holy Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus (1st Century) — October 9 / October 22 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 9 according to the Julian Calendar (October 22 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Apostle James the Son of Alphaeus.

The holy Apostle James was the son of Alphaeus, a tax collector of Capernaum, and the brother of the holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (commemorated on November 16). Like Matthew, James was called by the Saviour Himself from among the twelve chosen disciples and sent out to preach the Gospel (Matthew 10:3).

After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the blessed Apostle remained for a time in Jerusalem (Acts 1:13; 6:2), and then, together with the holy First-Called Apostle Andrew, spread the teaching of Christ in Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis and the surrounding regions. From there he travelled to Egypt, and in the coastal city of Ostracine, on the border of Palestine, he completed his apostolic labours by crucifixion (according to another account, the Lord’s chosen one gave up his spirit after many kinds of torment, being beaten with rods).